A staffer for Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) told reporters that Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) had been spat on by a protestor. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a hero of the civil rights movement, was called a 'ni--er.' And Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was called a "faggot,"[...]

Today's vandalism comes on the heels of these events. Some opponents of health reform are unfamiliar with the idea of peaceful and lawful protest, or are simply barbaric. Violence, racism, homophobia - and these are the people that Republicans in Congress coddle. These are the types of people that the likes of Michele Bachmann cheer on. Republicans national leaders have a history of condoning violence against federal judges, too.